Whale Beat Admirals, 4-1

After outplaying the Norfolk Admirals for all but a short stretch in a Game 3 loss in their Calder Cup series, the Connecticut Whale found a way to play even better Monday night.

And the result was a tight, well-played 4-1 victory in Game 4. The victory evened the best-of-seven series at two games each, with Game 5 Wednesday night at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

The Whale limited the Admirals to 20 shots, and there were few second-chance opportunities against Cam Talbot. Unlike in Sunday night's 4-3 loss, the defense kept the goal mouth clear so Talbot saw all of the shots.

"Collectively tonight, everybody did a great job," Talbot said. "[The defense] boxed out and I was aggressive and it worked out well for us."

The Whale got a first-period goal from Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, and Scott Tanski, who was scratched for the first five playoff games, made it 2-0 in the second period. Richard Panik scored for Norfolk at 7 minutes, 42 seconds of the third, but Casey Wellman's goal off a 2-on-1 with Pavel Valentenko padded the lead late in the game.

When Kris Newbury scored an empty net goal with 2:09 left, those left from the 1,641 at the XL Center erupted.

The Whale was especially good on the penalty kill, blanking Norfolk on six power plays. Ryan Bourque and Jordan Owens blocked shots during a kill late in the second period, a turning point for the Whale.

"Those are the kind of things that can kind of rally teammates, when guys are willing to lay it on the line to get their job done," Whale coach Ken Gernander said.

The win guarantees the series will return to Virginia for a sixth game. With the circus taking over the XL Center, Game 5 was shifted to the next-best option for the Whale.

"It's not home, but it's not Norfolk, either," Gernander said.

Talbot began the playoffs with consecutive shutouts at the Webster Bank Arena and was the Whale's best player through the first five playoff games. But he allowed four goals on 22 shots Sunday and Gernander did not initially commit to him as the Game 4 starter, although he decided to stick with him Monday.

"He's had the hot hand," Gernander said. "He was real good in the first series and the first two games in Norfolk he played well. Even [Sunday night], I don't think he had a bad game. … For the most part, he's been great for us. He's the one who's been a big part of our success."

Baldwin Jr. Replaced

Whalers Sports & Entertainment, the company that runs the business and marketing operation for the Whale, announced a leadership change Monday afternoon. Howard Baldwin Jr., the president and chief operating officer since Dec. 10, 2010, was replaced by Vice President Mark Willand, who will handle the day-to-day operation.

Baldwin Jr., a partner in WSE and the son of Chairman and CEO Howard Baldwin Sr., will remain with the company in an advisory role and will act as a liaison with financial partners. Baldwin Jr. was informed of the change Monday morning.

Willand has been with the company since its Sept. 2009 inception, handling marketing and public relations for the WSE. His most recent title was vice president of business operation and he has taken a lead role in talks with AEG concerning the team's lease at the XL Center.

The lease expires in 2013, and Baldwin Sr. recently said the company is aiming to secure a new lease with more favorable terms in the next month.

Willand began his business relationship with Baldwin Sr. when he joined the Whalers' public relations staff in 1986. After six years with the Whalers, he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins and also worked for Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh.